A/N: A big thank you to Bebus, who not only has edited much of this story, but also continues to make me a better writer. Thank you so much for all of your input!
Some of you have asked for more Leviathan. If you can't get enough, then check out my story, Mating Season s/9008389/1/.
Thank you all for reading and please keep your reviews, PMs, follows and favorites coming – I really appreciate them!
Chapter 14: The Unknown – Peace and Deception
Neresa was physically spent. Laying her eggs and securing them had taken much out of her. She was no longer young and the task of mating with Krixo had pushed her mentally to exhaustion. The deed was now done and her brood's future was now under her care and guidance. The realization of the enormous task before her was just starting to set in. Protective feelings, ones that she had not felt in eons were starting to creep back into her thoughts.
My children… I will not fail you. I am here and I will watch over you until it is time for you to break free and know life… your life… the life of Leviathan.
The eggs would slowly grow and develop, and inside of them the minds of the young would call to their mother. She in turn would answer with her own vision of their future. If she felt that they were not progressing the way that she wanted, then Neresa would end their existence. Otherwise, she would nurture them and prepare them for their birth and their roles in the world.
Sing to me my young. Open yourselves and let me hear you. Your words are fresh and new and mother will know you all. Do not fear or hide… those days are over. A new future awaits us all and you my young, you are the answer to what we have waited for all these years.
Solitude and silence were soothing to the female. For too long she had heard the call of the males and felt their burning need for revenge against the Reapers. Their fury had possessed her mind and with Krixo's and Lesaro's thoughts gone, she now felt sorrow for all that had been lost. Their culture and those of the ones they shared dominion with… all gone. A void was starting to form in her heart; one that she did not know of when the angry calls of the males fueled her.
Gone are the strife and the need for revenge. You will grow and be greater than us all. You will open your minds to others and from them, learn and evolve. I am coming to an end, so are Krixo and Lesaro. They were the tools to get us here, but you will be the answer we did not know we were looking for. I am remembering my song and that sung by my clan. Peace is the way forward, not war.
The depths of the sea brought her comfort and the darkness was a blanket. Memories of her time in space, roaming freely were starting to come back. She longed to see the stars again and to feel the vastness of space. But now, she would not be alone… now her young would be with her. Their minds would be open and they would see the galaxy through her. They would know freedom and beauty and would not have to fear the extinction that had loomed over her for so long.
You will be free of this world when the time comes. There are other worlds to know and other minds to touch. We have been hiding for too long and Leviathan was not made for isolation. Our song must be heard again. We must reach out to all and learn together. The Reapers are no more and will never be again, but we will rise and find our place in the stars.
For the first time in eons, Neresa felt hope… Hope for a future for her kind and her young. They would usher in a new destiny for Leviathan and she would start a new song. Dreams long forgotten of her clan and the rachni were coming back to Neresa. The knowledge of sharing other's desires and forging a new life together had been so long ago that it did not seem real, but now that her mind was quiet, she remembered and she knew that those memories would be the key to starting over.
We once shared the vibrant colors of life with others and looked to them to find our way. We have lost that and in doing so, lost ourselves. I remember… I remember the call and the complexity that was in the world. I could feel the rhythm of tranquility and know the beauty that we helped create. I can hear the song of the rachni and feel what we were together. That was stolen, but I remember and I will share it with my brood. This cycle of destruction must end, we can be so much more than what Krixo sees and Lesaro burns for. We do not need to wield fear and our dominance on the galaxy, we need only listen and grow. My children will open their minds to others and in doing so learn and write a new history for our kind. No more will we inflict our will on others; instead we will be a force for change. You will be greater than what is left of Leviathan… you will be our future.
2181 Despoina filled the view on the display screen of the Normandy SR2 war room, a water covered planet that seemed peaceful and unassuming. Shepard knew the truth of what lay beneath the waves; she remembered the powerful mind of Leviathan and had witnessed their destructive force first hand. Shepard looked out at the non-descript, ocean covered planet with a mixture of fear and anger. This was the current home of Leviathan and in her heart she could feel their threat to everything that she held most dear. The intrusion in her mind and the longing that the monster harbored towards her was unsettling. What haunted Shepard most was the thought that she might have exposed Liara through her love for her. I will stop it, Li… For us and our daughter… I promised you and I will stop that thing, so help me.
The two commanders stood together in front of the display screen in the war room. Both were dressed in their Alliance blues, but each struck a different pose. Commander Williams looked stiff and formal, with her hair pulled tightly back in a ponytail, her grey streak of hair giving the appearance of age and wisdom. Commander Shepard, on the other hand, was more relaxed but her expression held sadness and stress on it, her green eyes held the knowledge and fierceness of someone who had been to hell and back again. As the tactical information about the planet below was streaming before them, each was focusing on very different outcomes: Williams was concerned for her ship, while Shepard was concerned for her future.
Before the Reaper War, there was not much to look at on the planet: it was a salt water world with primitive life forms and almost no land mass to speak of. Its native species were rather unexceptional and without any instinct other than survival at least that was the report before Leviathan was discovered. Now the Normandy could pick up various organic signatures on floating make-shift islands. It did not appear that whoever was there had forged much of a home. The surface area of the water held all sorts of debris and wreckage, some of it ancient. Leviathan seemed to be able to have what they needed delivered to the planet and then use the organic life however they saw fit. There did not seem to be a defensive perimeter set up anywhere and there was no evidence of any type of weapons, but Shepard knew that Leviathan did not require conventional weapons; not when they were able to possess species and use them as their pawns.
"Commanders," the voice of the comms officer cut into the war room. "Admiral Hackett is on the QEC and is requesting your immediate attention."
Looking to Williams and seeing her nod, Shepard pushed the button in front of her to answer the officer, "Thank you, Lieutenant. Commander Williams and I are on our way."
Ashley looked at Shepard and indicated that Shepard should follow her. Gesturing with her hand that Ashley should go, Shepard allowed Ashley the courtesy of exiting the war room first and she silently followed her to the QEC interface in Ashley's personal chamber.
When they arrived, Commander Williams did not hesitate to take charge of responding to her superior. Ashley donned her most professional expression as she ran her hands down her crisp Alliance uniform to ensure that her presentation was perfect. The Commander in her was ever present; her body was stiff and at attention. Commander Shepard was far less formal and stood straight, but not as stiffly. Her uniform was slightly faded and looked far more comfortable than the one that Williams was wearing. Shepard could not quite snap to attention the way Williams did as the image of Admiral Hackett appeared before the pair.
"Commander Williams… Commander Shepard… at ease." Hackett's voice was still full of authority and his features were showing the signs of his time in battle and his age.
Both women answered in practiced unison, "Admiral."
"I have some information that I need to share with you both. This is highly classified and could threaten the Alliance and Earth if it is not handled correctly." Hackett's expression remained fixed and full of authority, but his eyes seemed to harbor a pained expression. "I have a weapon that I am sending to you to deploy against Leviathan."
Commander Williams got an excited look on her face at the news, as Shepard's expression held caution. It was Shepard that spoke first, "If I might ask, Admiral… What kind of weapon are you sending us?"
Hackett looked at Shepard directly, "The Alliance recovered technology from Cerberus when we took over Cronos Station. It seems that the Illusive Man had labs scattered all over the galaxy, each one was working on some way or another to enhance humanity's abilities to defend against various threats. One project that they were advancing came as a result of the technology that was found on the Collector's base. It involves fitting Reaper exoskeletons to ships and enhancing their weapons systems with those of the Reapers."
"Cerberus was experimenting on the Reapers and we think that using this technology is a good idea? How long has this enhancement been going on for and why the hell was the Alliance pursuing it?" Shepard could feel anger flush through her. She had seen firsthand what became of those that thought they could control Reaper technology and she wanted nothing to do with it. Williams remained quiet, a little too quiet, but Shepard wanted answers from the Admiral.
"The Systems Alliance took the brunt of Reaper hostility throughout the war, and more than half of the fleet was wiped out when we led the assault on Earth. We needed to be sure the Alliance was not compromised. I didn't say it was a good idea Commander Shepard or that I agreed with it… I said that we have a weapon that will be helpful in the fight against Leviathan and that I am deploying it." Hackett's tone held annoyance with Shepard's questions.
"What do you have to say about this Williams?" Shepard turned to Ashley, hoping for some support from her former friend.
Ashley hesitated slightly, then turned to face Shepard, "With all due respect, ma'am… You have been away from the Alliance since the war ended. We have had to use what was available to our advantage and Reaper technology in the right hands can help us." Looking confident in her response, she continued, "I had heard of rumors and I trust the Alliance to do the right thing."
"Thank you, Commander Williams," Hackett nodded his approval and then turned back to Shepard, "We have taken precautions. The Reapers are gone and there have not been any signs that there is any sentient part to what remains of them. They are in essence dead skeletons that can help us."
Shepard was silent, but her fists were balled and she was unconsciously holding her breath. Fools, the thought radiated through her.
"Right now, the turian fleet is mobilizing and appears to be heading to Tuchanka to engage the krogan and at the helm is a huge… creature… that we can only assume is Leviathan. We know that the Council has been compromised and is under their control. The Admiralty Board met and discussed our options and like it or not, this is it." Hackett took on his pained expression that Shepard was used to seeing from the Reaper War. "We have a prototype equipped and a crew specially picked for this mission. They will report to your position and be under your command, Commander Williams. Shepard, you will control any ground forces that are deployed to the planet."
"Aye, aye, sir!" Ashley snapped to attention and Shepard could tell that she was very enthusiastic now.
Shepard pressed Hackett, "What ship are you using and who is in charge of it?"
"SSV Liberty. She's a smaller and stealthier version of the Normandy. She is captained by Commander Tyrell and her XO is Lt. James Vega." Hackett said matter of factly.
"Vega? Didn't he just become a father? What is he thinking?" Shepard was asking the questions, but in her heart, she knew the answer… revenge. It was the same reason that she would be on a ship if Liara had been hurt by Leviathan.
Not missing a beat, Hackett answered, "Yes, he volunteered. His N7 training and combat experience will make him very useful."
"I know why he volunteered." Shepard furrowed her brow and rubbed her eyes, still trying to digest all that she heard.
"One more thing," Hackett paused to read an OSD that someone handed him. "We will be closely monitoring everybody who is in contact with SSV Liberty. We are not going to take any chances. Again, this is highly classified and I am trusting you both…" Hackett directed his gaze directly at Shepard, "…to keep this top secret. You are not to share this information with anyone unless I say so. Do you understand your orders?"
Both women snapped to attention, "Yes, Admiral." Shepard's mind was racing, but she was very practiced at swallowing orders that she did not agree with; Ashley on the other hand was filled with excitement.
"Excellent… I will expect regular reports from you both. Good hunting! Hackett, out." The image of the Admiral faded, leaving the pair alone again.
"Did you ever think that we would be using a Reaper to fight with us?" Williams broke Shepard's thoughts and turned to talk to her old Commander.
"Honestly, Ash… the whole idea frightens me." Shepard bit down on her lip and lowered her voice, "I don't trust Reaper technology. It's not something that can be controlled or used on a whim. A 37 million year old Reaper corpse was able to indoctrinate an entire Cerberus science team... who knows what we'll be exposing ourselves to by actively using parts?"
"I understand your concerns, but do you trust in the work of the Alliance?" Ashley's eyes were wide with questions and also enthusiasm for the weapon.
Shaking her head slowly, Shepard thought about the War and what Cerberus had ended up becoming. She remembered the Illusive Man and his obsession with controlling things that he had no business attempting to. The thought worried her, "I trust their work and their intentions, but I don't trust the Reapers or our ability to use them as a tool."
"We don't have much of a choice though." Ashley suddenly smiled enthusiastically. "And the idea of having some firepower in addition to the Normandy is appreciated." Ashley offered Shepard a smile and then turned to leave and head back to her crew.
"We will need to monitor the ship and its crew carefully." Shepard still was not happy with the situation. I hope that you are right, Ash. For all our sakes, I hope that you are right.
The hull of the Midnight Star burned with the heat of atmospheric re-entry as it approached Thessia. Looking out of one of the observation windows, Liara could see the sun just starting to break through the clouds to announce a new day. The sky was orange, with a pink softness reflecting off of the sea and back into the sky. I am home… The impression brought her mind back to the last morning that she had spent at the T'Soni Estate with Shepard. The sky had been the same colors and the thought filled her both with sadness and longing for her lover. Please be safe, Love. Come home to us… The emotions seemed to cause the baby to stir slightly; as if she was trying to comfort her mother.
Until she saw her planet, Liara did not realize how anxious she was to return home to Thessia. Aethyta had left before Ann had died and all of the workers at the Shepard Memorial Labs had been freed from Leviathan's control. The Matriarch had come home to see if any effects of the creature could be felt yet on Thessia or in the Matriarchy. Mostly though, Liara missed her father and their relationship. The days until Benezia would be born were getting to be fewer and fewer and as the time approached, she longed to have her father's help to guide her through the birthing process.
The infectious laugh, the deep, gruff voice and the inner strength that defined Aethyta had all become a welcome part of Liara's life. Sometimes Liara wondered what her mother would have thought; seeing them together. Would it have brought her peace to know that they had found each other and were now a family? She liked to think so and wished that she had a better understanding of her mother's motives for pushing Aethyta away from her. Aethyta told her to let it go and focus instead on the future that they would build together, so that was what she did. Liara could not stop the smile from forming on her lips at the thought of seeing her father and feeling her warm embrace at their reunion.
Liara could see their destination, the Grand Hall which was now the center of government on Thessia. The building had been rebuilt after the Reaper invasion and looked modern and sleek, with spires reaching towards the Thessian sky. It was grand and aesthetically beautiful, speaking of both the endurance of the asari and the splendor of Thessia. Father thinks it's a waste of our resources, but Mother would have liked the new hall… Benezia's presence would always be part of Liara and after all the years, she was finally finding peace in her memory.
Thea quietly approached the observation window and Liara. She could tell that the younger asari was deep in thought, but she also wanted to see the sight of home and let her friend know that she had spoken to Aethyta. "Liara, we will be arriving soon. Your father has been notified and will be waiting for us on the north wing."
Looking away from the window, Liara offered Thea a gentle smile. She looked at peace and with the glimmering of the sun radiating from the port, Liara almost appeared to be glowing. "Thank you. It will be good to see Father." Liara's expression changed slightly, "I hope that everything here is okay."
"Yes, I can only hope that the grasp of Leviathan has not spread to Thessia," Thea said the words almost apologetically.
"Well we'll find out soon enough… Fucking Leviathan." Aria was quick to add in her curses for the beast. She took her place behind the Councilor and reached around her lover and pulled her in close. Thea's hands answered instinctively, as they took their place around Aria's.
All enjoyed a quiet moment together. Liara was struck by how such a simple gesture between the two was so calming to her; she felt as protected as Thea did wrapped in Aria's arms. I am truly happy that they are here with me… my friends.
A voice rang from the comm system, breaking the serenity of the moment, "We are arriving at the docking bay and will begin docking procedures. You may depart within 20 minutes and given your status you will be exempt from normal immigration proceedings."
The three asari looked one last time out the window and then Aria and Tevos headed back to their quarters. Liara lingered to give the pair some time together and then went to her room as well.
The Midnight Star started its docking procedures and Liara was ready to depart, but Aria and Thea were still in their quarters getting ready for their arrival. It was always somewhat of a circus whenever Aria and Tevos were together on Thessia; some viewed them both as criminals, while others as heroes. Aria always looked like a tiger ready to eviscerate anyone that would get too close or say the wrong thing to the couple. Tevos maintained the practiced politician routine, but both were playing their roles for whatever spectator viewed them.
"Just please be on your best behavior…" Liara could hear Tevos pleading with Aria as the two approached.
Placing her hands on her hips and looking defiant, Aria gave her lover a wicked smile, "There better not be anyone from the press here. I really don't want to be bothered by those fools! Oh, and don't even get me started about those stick-up-their-ass Matriarchs. Liara, the only one that is any fun is Aethyta!"
"Alright, we should get going." Thea grasped Aria's right arm and started moving them towards the ramp.
Aria nodded to the krogan and they responded in turn. She then stood up confidently and ready to parade Tevos on her arm to whoever would be looking. "Let's not keep daddy waiting."
Liara rolled her eyes, but her smile did not leave her face. She was home.
Since the three arrived at dawn, the Grand Hall was not as busy as they had expected. There were asari that appeared to be just starting their day, but none seemed to pay much attention to the threesome; the group of krogan trailing behind them seemed to draw all of the stares.
Arriving at the north wing, the lights were set low and a large marble staircase could be seen rising up to an enormous library; there were rumored to be catacombs winding off hidden side entrances of the library. The ceilings were elevated and adorned with grandiose moldings and murals of the Thessian Sea and the creatures within. It all looked serene and made those approaching feel small. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Aethyta, wearing the white robes of a Matriarch and a sapphire dress underneath. Liara was instantly taken in by the picture of her father and the authority that she bore.
Looking closer at her father, Liara could see that something was troubling her. The Matriarch's face was filled with a weight she had never seen. She slowed her approach and started reaching out to touch Aethyta. "Father… what is wrong?"
The elder asari looked at her daughter and seemed unable to move. "Liara…"
Liara could hear sadness and pain in her father's words. Fear crept into her and she suddenly lost the sense of happiness she had only a moment before. "Please… tell me what is wrong…"
"Liara… I don't' know how to put this into words… it's Shepard…" Her voice trailed off and she looked into the blue eyes of her daughter that had suddenly grown large.
"What about Shepard?" Aria's question resonated in the hall.
Aethyta did not take her attention from Liara, "We have received word that she has engaged Leviathan… That the Normandy has crashed into the sea and very few survived the crash. Commander Williams has reported that Shepard was included in the casualties…"
"Fuck that…" Aria was quick to dismiss the report, "I don't believe some transmission!"
"I wouldn't either, but then I saw her body…" Aethyta stopped and moved to Liara. The Matriarch again looked directly into Liara's eyes, "I'm so sorry… the report is correct… Shepard is dead. I have the Destiny Ascension standing by; they will take us to 2181 Despoina. The asari will not let this threat take any more lives and are mobilizing in force."
The words rang through her mind without meaning, leaving echoes of confused pain in their wake… Shepard is dead… No… It can't be… NO! Her vision turned to a dark tunnel, swallowing the elegant surroundings and there was only a ringing coursing through her mind. A numbness that she had felt once before when the first Normandy exploded, claiming the life of her lover – took her. All of her emotions were absorbed by an all-consuming fear. Liara's body started to feel very light and blackness took her vision. NO!
"Catch her!" Tevos yelled at Aria, unnecessarily, as the asari was already moving to support her friend.
"I've got you…" Aria took hold of Liara; her body was limp and heavy with her advanced pregnancy. Aria's biotics flared and she used them to help support the form of her friend. Aria held Liara tight and protectively and refused to put her body down.
Both Tevos and Aria looked to Aethyta who stood at the base of the stairs in a trancelike state for some type of answer. For just the briefest of moments, Aethyta's expression changed as she glared at Aria. In her eyes was a deep-set hatred that Aria had never seen in the usually good natured eyes. The moment passed and the blank expression replaced the evil within. Seeing the expression triggered a survival reflex within Aria and she had to use all her will not to cripple Aethyta and instead she threw a very controlled stasis field to envelope and immobilize her.
"What are you doing?" Thea's voice broke the silence as she shot Aria a look of horror.
"Trust me Thea… Very carefully, check to see if she has one of those orbs," Aria's voice was filled with authority but there was also concern that resonated within the order.
Thea's face creased into fear, but she moved forward to inspect Aethyta. Her hand shot to her mouth as she gasped, "How did you know?" Thea turned to face Aria and in her other hand held a necklace that had been tucked into the asari's dress.
"Destroy it!" Aria's tone was focused and commanding.
Thea violently pulled the necklace off of Aethyta and threw it on the marble steps of the entryway. Remembering the feeling of Leviathan's invasion, she slammed her foot down onto the object until she felt and heard it shatter. Even with the destruction, she continued her actions.
Still holding Liara, Aria finally placed her unconscious form down as gently as possible. She then quickly moved to her lover's side and pulled her into an embrace. "It's okay… you are safe, Thea. I told you that thing would never have you again and I meant it." She held Thea and stroked her shoulders and back with affection, hoping to calm her lover.
Aria's eyes moved like a predator's as she attempted to fully assess the scene and the possibility of more threats; she saw none. Her grasp was still firmly around her bondmate as she pulled them both back to Liara.
Still caught in the stasis field, Aethyta passed out when the orb was smashed. Her mouth was gaping slightly and her eyes were closed; she looked almost like she was sleeping heavily but Thea knew that she was not at peace. "I will help her when she wakes."
Looking at her lover, Aria's expression changed to one filled with concern, "Of course… You will be the best one to help her."
A deafening crack rang throughout the hall, and then an enormous object hit Aria with bone shattering impact. Dark orange blood spattered the white marble steps and began to mix with the bluish purple of Aria's. The lower half of one of Aria's guards toppled to the floor as the rest, detonated by a powerful arc grenade, decorated Aria T'Loak.
Tevos was slow to react, but she could feel something pick her up and start to carry her away. Unable to focus beyond a ringing running through her head and not able to process the scene, she merely reached for Aria and screamed, "No!" Thea's body was not under her control and she was powerless to help her lover or any of her friends.
Consciousness slowly crept back to Aria. The smell of burned flesh and smoke filled her nose and she wasn't able to focus on anything more than the drying blood that was covering the marble pillar of the stairs where her head had hit. Her body was covered in the fetid remains of her guard's blood that was still freely pouring from his wounds. Struggling with blurry vision, a pounding headache, and the sickening smell of the krogan pinning her to the cold, wet floor, Aria's mind could only think in profanity, "What the fuck?" Trying desperately to understand what happened, Aria tried to free herself from the dead weight holding her down. The realization of an attack hit her and fear moved into her thoughts, "Thea! Thea… where are you?" She fought to force the words out and she quickly realized that she needed to take up a defensive position and get off the floor.
There was no reply from her bondmate and the room was artificially quiet. Looking up at the ceiling, all she could see was a picture of the sea… The sea… Leviathan… Fucking Leviathan… "Thea? Answer me now!" Desperation set in to her voice.
Focusing on her inner strength, Aria closed her eyes and summoned her biotics. A blue light enveloped her body and with the emotions of both anger and fear fueling her, freed herself. The lifeless form of the krogan flew away from her and in the process, spewed dark orange blood across the marble floor. Attempting to reassess her surroundings, Aria's survival instincts went on overdrive. There did not appear to be anyone in her vicinity, but she did not trust that she was alone. Her biotics coursed through her, erecting a protective barrier while she looked for signs of her friends and the ones that killed the krogan.
I couldn't have been out long… the krogan is still bleeding; his blood hasn't started clotting yet. Where is Thea? If that thing has her again…
Hearing shuffling footsteps of something large coming towards her, she ducked into a shadowed corner and prepared to kill whatever emerged. Before she could act, the hulking shape of Prak appeared with weapons drawn and biotics shimmering.
"Prak… where are Thea and the others?" Her voice was commanding and caused the krogan to stop and look at her.
"Boss! What happened to you? You are covered in blood… are you hurt?" Prak seemed shocked to find Aria in her current state.
"It's not my blood…" Aria reached up to her aching temples and when she looked back at her hand, saw the purplish blue color of asari blood, "… well not all of it is mine… and I'll be fine. Where is Thea? What the fuck happened?"
Before answering Aria, Prak spoke into his comm. He waited a moment and then confirmed what he had heard and then shared the update, "Borak secured the Councilor. He and Lerix are taking her to the Midnight Star now. You made it very clear that the Councilor was to be protected at all cost. We know better than to not follow your orders."
Feeling pathetically relieved that Thea was under the protection of her krogan, Aria was able to refocus on the others. "Is she alright? What about Liara and Aethyta?"
"The Councilor is unharmed, but she is… mad… that we are detaining her. A small group of asari commandos did this. They took the two other asari to another docking bay. I think they are heading to the Destiny Ascension." Prak stood next to Aria, making sure that they were still secure. He was on guard both from attacks from the commandos and from his employer; Aria brought more fear into the krogan than the commandos.
"We need to hurry then…" Aria did not look back as she swiftly took off in the direction of the Midnight Star and Thea. Somebody is going to die for this and I am going to fucking enjoy it!